CSAE Standards

Introduction

BuddyMate is committed to creating a safe and inclusive online environment for all users. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This document outlines our standards, procedures, and commitment to protecting children from harm on our platform.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

• Prohibition: BuddyMate strictly prohibits any content, behavior, or activity that involves, promotes, or facilitates:

  • Child sexual abuse or exploitation.

  • Distribution, possession, or creation of CSAM.

  • Grooming, solicitation, or any interaction with minors intended for exploitation.

  • Any form of harassment, bullying, or endangerment of minors.

• Enforcement: Violations result in immediate account suspension, content removal, and reporting to relevant authorities.

Detection and Removal Procedures

• Moderation: We employ a combination of automated tools (e.g., content filtering and AI-based detection) and human review to identify CSAE/CSAM.

• User Reporting: Users can report suspicious content or behavior via an in-app reporting feature, which is reviewed within 24 hours.

• Action: Upon detection, offending content is removed, and accounts are banned. We maintain logs of all actions for accountability.

• Escalation: Confirmed CSAE/CSAM cases are reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) via their CyberTipline and to local law enforcement as required by law.

Child Safety Measures

• Age Verification: BuddyMate2 requires users to verify they are at least 18 years old during registration, using a combination of birth date input and, where applicable, third-party age estimation tools.

• Parental Controls: We offer optional parental oversight features for users under 18 (if allowed by local laws), enabling guardians to monitor activity.

• Privacy Protections: Personal data of minors is handled in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring it is not shared or exploited.

• Content Restrictions: Features like private messaging include safety filters to block inappropriate content.

Child Safety Point of Contact

• For concerns related to child safety or to report CSAE/CSAM, please contact our dedicated Child Safety Officer at:

  • Email: buddymateapp@proton.me  

  • We aim to respond within 48 hours and escalate serious cases immediately.

Collaboration and Compliance

• Partnerships: BuddyMate2 aligns with global initiatives such as the Tech Coalition’s Project Protect and follows guidelines from UNICEF and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).

• Legal Compliance: We adhere to applicable laws, including India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) 2012, and cooperate with government requests.

• Transparency: This policy is publicly available, and we publish an annual transparency report detailing CSAE/CSAM incidents and actions taken (to be available at https://buddymate2.com/transparency in the future).

User Education

• Awareness: We provide in-app notifications and a safety guide educating users on recognizing and reporting CSAE.

• Support: Resources are linked to helplines (e.g., Childline India: 1098) for users needing assistance.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

• BuddyMate regularly reviews and updates these standards based on emerging threats, user feedback, and regulatory changes. We conduct annual audits of our child safety measures and train our moderation team accordingly.

Contact Us

For general inquiries about our CSAE standards, email buddymateapp@proton.me  . For urgent child safety issues, use buddymateapp@proton.me  .